Thus, pathological forms of TGF-β signalling promote tumour growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix remodelling, stemness and evasion of immune surveillance.6 Recent whole-genome or exome sequencing confirmed TGF-β as the most recurrently mutated signal transduction pathway in pancreatic cancer.7 The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is familial pancreatic carcinoma.